VINYL JUNKIE

VINYL JUNKIE

VINYL JUNKIE is the DJ and producer John, a Dutch electronic artist from Lichtenvoorde, Netherlands, born in 1967. He is associated with the big beat, breakbeat, electroclash and electronic fields, and is also known as Dutch DJ and score composer Tom Holkenborg.

Early development

He discovers rave culture in 1989 while on holiday in Ibiza, and this leads to a move into DJing in the early 1990s. He establishes himself as a DJ in Bristol in 1991 after beginning to play out at a club night he promotes himself. He becomes active in the Bristol free party scene and plays regularly for organisers including Free Party People, Sweat Sound System and Circus Warp.

DJ career

He plays at hundreds of events in the UK and abroad. Early bookings include clubs in and around Bristol, and he builds a local following that leads to wider work across the country. He becomes resident at Vibes Alive at the University of the South West of England at the end of 1991, and this residency continues for nearly three years, including after the night changes hands and becomes Sutra.

He later plays for promoters and events including Ektos, Total Kaos, Obsession and Quest, as well as Tribal Gathering in 1993 and 1997. He also appears at Raindance in London and Illusion in Stoke, and his list of bookings extends to many club nights and festivals across the UK, including Glastonbury Festival.

Production and labels

He begins producing in 1994, first working with Jody from Sub Love, with whom he makes two unreleased tracks. In 1997 he studies Sound Engineering at Bridgewater College and later continues to make beats using an Akai S3000 and Atari with Cubase. He also studies Music Technology.

He owns Warehouse Wax Records and co-launches Warehouse Wax with Darkus, whom he meets in 2001. Through this work he helps develop hardcore breaks, a style he sees as connected to early 1990s hardcore. He also supports labels and imprints including 2fresh, Bassrock, Firewall, Hardcore Lives, Enormous Mouse, Good Gosh, Repeat Offender and Hardcore Projektz.

Old skool and related projects

In 2001 he and friends launch Absolute Old Skool at Lakota in Bristol. The night runs for around four years and stages about 15 events, contributing to the old skool revival and helping to launch local DJs including Kickback and Sketchy & Compulsion. He continues to DJ regularly, usually playing early 1990s hardcore alongside hardcore breaks, breaks and jungle.

Associated acts

He is linked with A Forest Called Mulu, Weekend at Waikiki, Nerve, The Magnificent Six and Last Asiatic Disciples.